Think Outside The Square!

Sue’s Views
Do you have a problem that seems unsolvable? Don’t give up! It’s just that you haven’t yet discovered the answer. There’s a saying that “Necessity is the mother of invention”. From the wheel to the modern day technology, people tried and failed many times to find a solution ….. but they kept trying and coming up with new ideas. We just have to think outside the square ….. and pray for wisdom and inspiration! God’s ways are higher than ours and His thoughts wiser!
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Meditation

Sue’s Views
Meditation is something we often relate to eastern religions ….. but the Bible teaches us to meditate on God’s Word continually. It simply means to chew on it like a cow chews on grass ….. until the grass becomes part of the cow. The more we think about what we read ….. the more we will be changed on the inside. Ask questions ….. like who is speaking? ….. to whom are they speaking? ….. what was the situation? ….. what is God saying to me personally? If you do that you will be blessed and ‘your leaves will not wither!’
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Unfulfilled Dreams?

Sue’s Views
Do you have a dream that has faded in the light of reality? Maybe years have passed and you’ve resigned to thinking ‘that will never happen now.’ Maybe circumstances have put a barrier between you and the dream being fulfilled ….. or choices you’ve made have disqualified you from deserving it. Who gave you the dream? If it came from God ….. He will fulfil it! He’s the starter and the finisher. Yes it might take a little longer than He intended ….. and the route might be a little different ….. but hold on to those unfulfilled dreams. They are still on God’s to do list!
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God Hears Our Prayers

Sue’s Views
It can sometimes feel like the heavens are made of brass! Our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling and go no further. But the truth is ….. God does hear all our prayers! If there is a hindrance ….. it’s on our part. Unconfessed sin ….. unforgiveness ….. unbelief are possible barriers. But when we come boldly and in faith ….. we can be sure He not only hears but answers. His timing is not always ours ….. but it is always perfect!
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Pace Yourself!

Sue’s Views
At this time of year ….. we can easily feel overwhelmed. An already busy life seems to accelerate ….. the calendar fills up ….. and we lie awake thinking of all that has to be done. My best advice is to pace yourself ….. take it one day at a time. Decide what are the top three things that need to get done today. When those are accomplished ….. anything else you do is a bonus!
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Ecstasy

Sue’s Views
I heard these tuis before I saw them! Their unique and distinct song drew my attention. I learned that a group of tuis is called an ‘ecstasy’! It seems appropriate as ecstasy means ‘an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement.’ Some may associate it with a drug by the same name. It’s sad that so many have turned to artificial means to find this kind of happiness ….. which is temporary and leads to addiction and all the complications that go with it. This world can overwhelm us at times but Jesus has overcome the world. He came to give us abundant life. In Him we have everything we need ….. including joy!
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” Jn 15:10-11
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‘He Will Make Your Paths Straight’

Sue’s Views
Proverbs 3:5-6 has become my go to scripture of late. It says:
  
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
There is so much treasure in those two verses. First we are to trust God wholeheartedly. That alone is a challenge! We are so used to being in control. And then to stop relying on what we know can sound irresponsible! But we need to realise that our understanding is limited and fallible whereas God knows everything and is totally reliable. He sees all the pitfalls and hidden agendas. Lastly we are to acknowledge Him in every situation ….. whether on the mountain top of exhilaration or in the depths of despair. Remember ….. it’s not about what we feel or see. It’s about Who He is! He is able to lead you through to where He wants you to be. ‘Making your paths straight’ suggests to me that He will help us practically as well as spiritually.
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Mystery Tour

Sue’s Views
Have you ever been on a mystery tour ….. when you’re given a series of clues which lead you to the next clue? You have no idea where you will end up but you enjoy the different stages of the journey knowing there’s a prize at the end. You trust the person who designed the course because you know he has already been there and prepared the way. God has designed your journey! He has gone before you and knows you can do it!
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Dreams Fulfilled

Sue’s Views
Do you sometimes feel dissatisfied with where you are? Do you feel like you were born for more? Does it seem like you are going down when everything in you wants to fly? Welcome to the life of the caterpillar! He dreams of spreading his wings ….. but finds himself more and more confined. Dreams usually take time and patience to be fulfilled. Just when it seems like it will never happen ….. your dream will be fulfilled. You’ll realise that the process was as important as the end result!
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Mirror Image

Sue’s Views
What do you see when you look in the mirror? Even though a good mirror reflects a true image ….. we often see ourselves through a filter. It may be a filter of shame ….. a filter of comparison ….. or a filter of a label from the past. These filters distort the image we see. The purpose of a mirror is to help us see the hair out of place ….. or the things we can change. It’s not to define us. So next time you look in the mirror ….. thank God for the amazing miracle looking back at you!
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